Western Conference Showdown: Lakers vs. Rockets Preview
The Los Angeles Lakers (45-29) are set to clash with the Houston Rockets (49-26) in an exciting Western Conference showdown on Monday night. Recently, the Lakers have been on a decent run, winning two out of their last three matches, including a close victory against the Memphis Grizzlies, 134-127, on Saturday. Meanwhile, the Rockets showcased their offensive firepower by dominating the Phoenix Suns 148-109 on Sunday. LeBron James is expected to play despite a groin injury, which bodes well for the Lakers. Currently, the Rockets hold the second seed in the West, with the Lakers positioned fourth. The action kicks off at 10 p.m. ET at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.
Houston has had the upper hand in their recent matchups, winning the last two games against the Lakers, including a 119-115 victory on January 5. In terms of betting, the Lakers are favored by 3.5 points, and the total points over/under is set at 225.5. On the money line, L.A. stands at -169, while Houston is priced at +143. Before placing any bets, it’s worth consulting the NBA predictions and betting advice from the SportsLine Projection Model, which simulates games 10,000 times and has consistently delivered profitable returns for bettors, especially on their top-rated NBA picks.
Why are the Lakers favored? LeBron James is a significant factor. Currently 12th in the league for scoring with 24.5 points per game, and sixth for assists with 8.5 per game, he also contributes 8.1 rebounds. In a recent game, he racked up 25 points, six rebounds, and eight assists, maintaining his streak of stellar performances. Meanwhile, Luka Doncic offers versatility, averaging 27.8 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 7.8 assists, flourishing recently with high-scoring, all-around performances, including 29 points, eight rebounds, and nine assists against the Grizzlies on Saturday.
Yet, the Rockets have their own strengths. Jalen Green, a dynamic shooter, is leading Houston with 21.5 points per game, along with 4.7 rebounds and 3.4 assists. He’s tallied over 30 points in three out of his last four games. Also worth noting is center Alperen Sengun, a force in the paint, ranking eighth in the NBA for rebounds, and averaging 19.2 points and 4.9 assists. Sengun has achieved 43 double-doubles this season, including a dominant 33-point, 10-rebound performance against the Jazz on March 27.
To make informed bets on this Rockets vs. Lakers game, consider the SportsLine model’s insights, which predict the game’s total points will fall under 225.5, with one team covering the spread more than 50% of the time in simulations. Visit SportsLine for all the detailed NBA picks and predictions.